The concise measurement of clinical communication skills: Validation of a short scale

Objective There is a lack of brief rating scales for the reliable assessment of psychotherapeutic skills, which do not require intensive rater training and/or a high level of expertise. Thus, the objective is to validate a 14-item version of the Clinical Communication Skills Scale (CCSS-S). Methods Using a sample of N = 690 video-based ratings of role-plays with simulated patients, we calculated a confirmatory factor analysis and an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), assessed convergent validities, determined inter-rater reliabilities and compared these with those who were either psychology students, advanced psychotherapy trainees, or experts. Results Correlations with other competence rating scales were high (rs > 0.86–0.89). The intraclass correlations ranged between moderate and good [ICC(2,2) = 0.65–0.80], with student raters yielding the lowest scores. The one-factor model only marginally replicated the data, but the internal consistencies were excellent (α = 0.91–95). The ESEM yielded a two-factor solution (Collaboration and Structuring and Exploration Skills). Conclusion The CCSS-S is a brief and valid rating scale that reliably assesses basic communication skills, which is particularly useful for psychotherapy training using standardized role-plays. To ensure good inter-rater reliabilities, it is still advisable to employ raters with at least some clinical experience. Future studies should further investigate the one- or two-factor structure of the instrument.Peer Reviewe

The Disulfide Stress Response and Protein S-thioallylation Caused by Allicin and Diallyl Polysulfanes in Bacillus subtilis as Revealed by Transcriptomics and Proteomics

Garlic plants (Allium sativum L.) produce antimicrobial compounds, such as diallyl thiosulfinate (allicin) and diallyl polysulfanes. Here, we investigated the transcriptome and protein S-thioallylomes under allicin and diallyl tetrasulfane (DAS4) exposure in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Allicin and DAS4 caused a similar thiol-specific oxidative stress response, protein and DNA damage as revealed by the induction of the OhrR, PerR, Spx, YodB, CatR, HypR, AdhR, HxlR, LexA, CymR, CtsR, and HrcA regulons in the transcriptome. At the proteome level, we identified, in total, 108 S-thioallylated proteins under allicin and/or DAS4 stress. The S-thioallylome includes enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of surfactin (SrfAA, SrfAB), amino acids (SerA, MetE, YxjG, YitJ, CysJ, GlnA, YwaA), nucleotides (PurB, PurC, PyrAB, GuaB), translation factors (EF-Tu, EF-Ts, EF-G), antioxidant enzymes (AhpC, MsrB), as well as redox-sensitive MarR/OhrR and DUF24-family regulators (OhrR, HypR, YodB, CatR). Growth phenotype analysis revealed that the low molecular weight thiol bacillithiol, as well as the OhrR, Spx, and HypR regulons, confer protection against allicin and DAS4 stress. Altogether, we show here that allicin and DAS4 cause a strong oxidative, disulfide and sulfur stress response in the transcriptome and widespread S-thioallylation of redox-sensitive proteins in B. subtilis. The results further reveal that allicin and polysulfanes have similar modes of actions and thiol-reactivities and modify a similar set of redox-sensitive proteins by S-thioallylation

The narcissism in situations framework for the study of narcissism in social interactions

Die Dissertation präsentiert ein konzeptuelles Rahmenmodell zur Untersuchung von Narzissmus in sozialen Interaktionen. Es differenziert zwischen situations-invarianten (z.B. Narzissmus) und situations-variierenden Variablen (z.B. positives Feedback) zur Vorhersage narzisstischen Verhaltens. Es bildete die Grundlage für drei Studien entlang der Zeitlinie von sozialen Interaktionen (d.h., zu Beginn, im täglichen Verlauf, innerhalb von langjährigen Freundschaften). Studie 1 untersuchte, ob sich der Einfluss von Narzissmus in Situationen reduziert, die starke Hinweisreize für die Angemessenheit von Selbstdarstellung beinhalten, wie die Trait Activation Theory (Tett & Burnett, 2003) vermuten würde. Es wurde geschlussfolgert, dass der grandiose Kern von Narzissmus unempfindlich gegenüber dem Einfluss situations-variierender Variablen war (hinsichtlich der Reizstärke für Selbstdarstellung). Studie 2 erforschte Narzissmus innerhalb sozialer Interaktionen im Alltag mit Hilfe eines experience-sampling Designs in drei aufeinander aufbauenden Teilstudien. Im Gegensatz zu den Befunden aus Studie 1 zeigten die Ergebnisse der zweiten Studie, dass es einen starken situativen Einfluss auf die Expression von State Narzissmus gab - unabhängig vom individuellen Narzissmus-Niveau. Zum Beispiel erhöhten sowohl positives als auch negatives Feedback das State Narzissmus Level aufgrund von Selbsterhöhungs- oder Selbstschutzmechanismen. Die Ergebnisse stellen die Rolle von Trait Selbstwert auf State Narzissmus infrage, unterstreichen aber die Wichtigkeit von State Selbstwert. Studie 3 demonstrierte, dass mit einer zunehmenden distinktiven Ähnlichkeit (d.h., die Ähnlichkeit in den normabweichenden Aspekten der beiden Freunde) im Narzissmus zweier bester Freunde die distinktive Ähnlichkeit in deren Big Five Profilen ebenfalls ansteigt. Es werden Implikationen für situations-spezifische Aspekte von Narzissmus innerhalb von langjährigen Freundschaften diskutiert.The present dissertation presents a conceptual framework for the study of narcissism in social interactions (NARCissism In Situations: NARCIS). This framework differentiates between situation-invariant variables (e.g., trait narcissism) and situation-varying variables (e.g., positive feedback) for the prediction of narcissistic behavior. It built the theoretical basis for three studies that were placed along the time line of social interactions (i.e., at the beginning, in the daily intercourse, and within long-term friendships). Study 1 examined whether the manifestation of individual differences in narcissism reduce in situations that include strong cues for the appropriateness of self-promotional behavior, as trait activation theory (Tett & Burnett, 2003) would expect. It was concluded that the grandiose core of narcissism was insensitive to the influence of situation-varying variables in terms of cue strength for self-promotion. Study 2 investigated narcissism within social interactions in everyday life following an experience-sampling design in three consecutive substudies. In contrast to the findings from the first study, results of Study 2 showed that there was a strong situational influence on the expression of state narcissism - regardless of the individual’s narcissism trait level. For example, both negative social feedback and positive feedback increased state narcissism levels due to ego protection or ego boosting mechanisms. The results question the role of trait self-esteem but underscore the importance of state self-esteem on state narcissism. Last but not least, Study 3 demonstrated that with increasing distinctive similarity (i.e., the similarity in the two friends’ norm-deviating parts) in narcissism of two best friends’ their distinctive similarities in their Big Five profiles augmented as well. Implications for situation-specific aspects of narcissism within long-term friendships are discussed

Self-Reflection in the Training of Psychotherapists - A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of two types of self-reflection in promoting psychotherapeutic competences. The study uses a mixed method approach including a randomized controlled trial and the analyses of qualitative text and interview data

Model Videos for the Development of Therapeutic Competence Knowledge

The randomized-controlled trial deals with the use of model videos in psychotherapy training. The research question is: Is it helpful to see an 'ideal example' (positive model video) in order to understand therapeutic competence? Or is it more beneficial to also see a model that makes mistakes and be pointed to them (mixed model video) to develop a more comprehensive understanding

Live-Supervision - Two Randomized Controlled Trials

We examine the effect of live supervision in standardized psychotherapy sessions in comparison to (A) a condition without supervision (i.e., repetition) and (B) to delayed video-based supervision (DVS). Both randomized controlled trials take place in a laboratory setting with undergraduate psychology students